Crime Victims and the Freeze Response: A Study to Determine Whether a Difference Exists in Responses to Criminal Behavior

• In Event: Responses to Fear of Crime

Abstract

While the “fight/flight response” has become widely used to describe physiological responses to threat, the freeze response has received less attention. However, researchers have recently engaged in studying the freeze response for purposes of explaining why specific criminal victims are either incapable or unable to either flee from harm or physically thwart an attack. As a result of this perceived non-resistance, potential victims vulnerability may be greatly enhanced as presenting an easier target for criminal behavior.

The current study seeks to explore whether self-reported crime victims have a higher “freeze” response than non-victims. Varieties of criminal activity, both personal and property, will be analyzed. Myriad personality instruments, such as the MMPI, will be further evaluated to determine what particular traits correspond with heightened freeze responses.

Author

• Gerald Jeandron, American University